It was perfect night for British sides in the Europa League as Manchester United and Tottenham put underwhelming first-leg showings behind them to progress to the last-eight, with Rangers joining them after a dramatic penalty shootout against Fenerbahce.
Penalties were the order of the evening at Old Trafford, with three of them served up in United’s second leg with Real Sociedad. Mikel Oyarzabal’s 10th-minute spot-kick put Sociedad 1-0 up on the night and 2-1 ahead on aggregate, only for a pair of Bruno Fernandes penalties to turn the tie in United’s favour.
Jon Aramburu then saw red in the 63rd minute for a foul on Patrick Dorgu, and United dominated thereafter as Fernandes completed a hat-trick and Diogo Dalot slammed home an injury-time fourth to send Ruben Amorim’s side through 5-2 on aggregate.
Tottenham were in control almost throughout against AZ Alkmaar in a performance in complete contrast to their 1-0 defeat in The Netherlands a week earlier.
Wilson Odobert’s first goal for Spurs midway through the first half and a fine 48th-minute effort from James Maddison gave them the aggregate lead and, though some dreadful defending allowed Peer Koopmeiners to briefly peg them back, Odobert finished off a wonderful Tottenham move that began in their own half to send Ange Postecoglou’s men through.
The most intense drama, however, was at Ibrox.
Butland the hero for Rangers
Rangers had stunned Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce with an outstanding away performance in Istanbul last week, claiming a 3-1 win.
But it looked as if all that good work would be undone after Sebastian Szymanski’s brace levelled the tie on aggregate, forcing extra time.
Fenerbahce had the better of extra time but could not find the goal to complete the turnaround and, amid a raucous Ibrox atmosphere, goalkeeper Jack Butland rescued Rangers.
A FAMOUS NIGHT FOR RANGERS AT IBROX 💙
The Scottish side book their place in the Europa League quarter-finals after downing Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce on penalties 🙌
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/INXDXExkEU
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 13, 2025
Butland saved the first penalty of the shootout, denying Dusan Tadic with his legs. Ianis Hagi had Rangers’ third penalty saved to fray the nerves of the home fans, only for Butland to put the hosts on the brink by thwarting former Manchester United midfielder Fred.
Tom Lawrence emphatically dispatched the subsequent spot-kick and Ibrox was sent into raptures when Mert Yandas blazed his penalty high and wide.
Athletic still dreaming of San Mamés final
Next up for Rangers is the team whose stadium will host the final in May, Athletic Bilbao turning around a first-leg deficit to see off Roma and reach the last eight.
Roma had led 2-1 from the game at the Stadio Olimpico, but Mats Hummels’ 11th-minute red card for a foul Maroan Sannadi put them on the back foot. Nico Williams took advantage with a double either side of Yuri Berchiche’s 64th-minute effort, Athletic Bilbao going through 4-3 on aggregate following Leandro Paredes late consolation from the penalty spot.
I am sorry @OfficialASRoma . I want to apologize to our fans and my teammates. I let everyone down today with a mistake that was simply stupid and horrendous. These games used to be the games my team could rely on me, now i fu**** up and cost the whole club the dream of winning…
— Mats Hummels (@matshummels) March 13, 2025
Hummels subsequently issued an apology on social media, and there may be many Ajax fans demanding the same from their players after the Eredivisie giants were thrashed 4-1 by Eintracht Frankfurt. Mario Gotze was on target twice for the 2021-22 winners as they completed a 6-2 aggregate win.
Lazio succeeded where arch rivals Roma failed, going through 3-2 on aggregate following a 1-1 home draw with Viktoria Plzen, Alessio Romagnoli netting a decisive 77th-minute equaliser. They will face Bodo/Glimt after the Norwegian side progressed 4-2 on aggregate despite a 2-1 away defeat to Olympiacos.
Lyon await United after dispatching FCSB 4-0 and 7-1 on aggregate.
